SEE YOU THERE By Lynn Downham

“FREEDOM,” cries William Wallace in the movie “Braveheart” with his last breath. It is the cry of every beating heart and it can be defined in countless ways. In many of those ways, it depends upon what country you live in and I think I can safely say that as an American, we live in the freest country in our world at present.

My dad taught our family to respect the freedom fighters, the soldiers, and all those with God-given authority. His lifelong support of the Disabled American Veterans taught us to further respect those injured and fallen in battle. He was a major in the United States Air Force and joined the reserves when he retired from active service. His example taught us to place a high value on our country’s many freedoms because so many have fought to keep them intact for future generations. I personally pray for, admire, and respect each family of our brave soldiers and recognize their sacrifices for our nation. I also salute the thousands of policemen and their families for their sacrifices.

The above is all true and at this point, I want to take a different tack. Jesus said, “In this life, you will have trials and tribulations...” We will not be completely free on this earth. I want to be free from pain and fatigue, but I know the truth because I have been in God’s Word and I know there is freedom coming that is the stuff of which dreams are made. 26 | MAGAZINE NAME FAITH ON EVERY CORNER

Shakespeare wrote, “I know a place where the wild thyme blows, where oxlips and the nodding violet grows...” Jordan Feliz sings, “I know a place where we can go...” in his song, “The River”. I too know a place. So do you if you are in the Word of God, where all our freedom needs will be met. Our very cores, our spirits, our souls, our hearts long for it. I’m talking about home and yes, if you’ve been reading me long enough you know I’m speaking of heaven. I’ve seen a face that has experienced that freedom in the face of my dad in the dream I recounted in my article, “Surprised By Grace Again”. I’ve seen a glimpse of the foot of the temple at the International Full Gospel Convention in Atlanta, Georgia. I’ve heard the audible voice of God at the log house also previously written about in the article, “Where My Thankful Started”. I have no doubts about the validity of God and His Word anymore. My advice? Cry out you freedom fighters, you soldiers of God, and fight for the freedom of others! God wants freedom for everyone and in the end, we will all praise Him at home in heaven where we will finally be FREE.

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thee knowest not.” Jeremiah 33:3

Lynn Story Downham is a fourth generation artist who returned to North Carolina in 2014 after twenty-six years on the Florida panhandle. Her seventh family tree commission was for a “family tree for Jesus.” Twenty years later she is a born-again believer with a best-selling print, a beautiful family and a passion for sharing Christ through her art. Find out more on Facebook by looking up “Lynn Story Downham’s Art” or “Lynn Downham Jesus Tree.”

Heaven by Lynn Downham